Thambeka was crying, panicking. They had looked everywhere and there was no sign of Melokuhle. Dumisani did not know what to do anymore. He had called the police but he knew they will take ages to find her.
Right at that moment Dumisani’s cell phone rang. Both he and his wife hoped that it would be good news. The call came from a private number, but Dumisani answered anyway.
“I know you don’t know me. Listen to me and listen very carefully. If you want to see your pretty daughter alive again…” Dumisani heard Melokuhle’s voice at the back screaming daddy! But the man on the phone shouted at her to shut up and he continued.
“Meet me tomorrow at 04:30 am near Walter Sisulu National Batanical Garden in Krugersdorp and bring me R150 000 and I will bring you your daughter. If you bring anyone along with you, poor Melokuhle will pay a price for that”
“04:30 is too early I have to get money from the bank and they don’t open that early. I don’t keep money under my pillow. Let’s make it 10:00 am.” Dumisani tried to negotiate. The man was quiet for few seconds.
“Deal.” After what felt like a long pause to Dumisani, the man finally said. Then he dropped the phone.
***Else Where ***
Sihle was very tranquil, looking at his pregnant girlfriend; his girlfriend who now did not want him out of her sight. Pregnant women are weird, they are no different from a crazy person, Sihle thought to himself.
Ayammah did not care how, just as long as she could be with Sihle 24/7 she was happy. You have to be pregnant or once been pregnant to understand a pregnant woman, this girl was amazing, he smiled at the thought.
She had never done him any wrong. She was as good as his mother whom he watched struggling with him. How could his dad just run away from a good woman like that? Sihle swore to himself that he will never run away from Ayammah. And his son will never have to grow up the way he did with an absent father.
“Baby, are you ready for the competition?” asked Ayammah.
“To tell you the truth I’m nervous. What if I get stage fright or forget my words?” said Sihle sounding really worried. It has been bothering him for a while now. And even though he sounded confident with his friends, he didn’t need to put a show for Ayammah.
“Oh love there’s no need to worry. You’re the best! You’ll win that competition hands down.” She said trying to encourage him.
Sihle embraced her. She was a sweet girl and he loved her. He had to win the show. Everything depended on him winning the show.
***
Tell us what you think: Do you think Dumisani will pay the ransom or will he call the police. Will the show still go on with Melokuhle missing?